The Telegraph: Mid-range: four-star hotel built around a courtyard, 10 minutes’ walk from the Alcazar. Official rates go from 350 euros a night but are much cheaper on the website: Doubles in August from 85 (room).

The Telegraph: Great two-star option in Lope de Rueda close to the Alcazar, this has some good deals at the moment with doubles from 62 euros a night, b&b, including two tickets to the Flamenco Museum (see below).

The Telegraph: Stop for fried baby squid (puntillitas) and an ice cold beer, or fino sherry, at El Faro de Triana tapas bar by the Isabella bridge, with views up and down the river and over to the cathedral.

The Telegraph: This is a merchant’s palace dating from Columbus's time but adapted later into an appealing blend of Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance and 19th-century architecture. Admission eight euros, open 9am-7pm.

The Telegraph: Try the whisky tortilla, fried fish and white chocolate tart. You may be in good company – it’s a favourite of the King and Queen of Spain. If a weekend, head for nearby Europa bar (see below).

The Telegraph: Go in the entrance and head to the left with the great west doors behind you - it's the only place to get an impression of the immense size. The tomb of Columbus may contain his bones, no one is sure.

The Telegraph: This former convent is an appealing and under-visited art museum. Its strength is a collection of Baroque Spain painting by Velázquez, El Greco, Zurbarán and Murillo and its peaceful cloister gardens.

The Telegraph: At the classic Europa tapas bar retreat to the interior, with its blue-and-white tiles and black-and-white marble floor – or take one of the tables which spills into the Plaza de Jesús de la Pasión.